shedman

On 02/06/2024 at 21:37, Nigelcliffe said:

Sounds a doddle.... 

 

I think you're describing a meter which goes to centre if there is no voltage present.    And then swings left or right if voltage is present, depending on polarity of voltage.  

You have a 3-pole, 4-throw switch.  With most rotary switches there is a metal collar with a bent part which drops into a hole, there being a choice of holes on the switch.  This restricts the rotation to fewer poles.  Set the collar to allow three positions. 

 

Then its just wiring to create a DPDT-centre-off switch.    In the centre of the switch are likely three contacts, around the edge will be 12 contacts.    Identify which groups of four contacts connect to each of the centre contacts.    You need two of the three groups.  With the metal collar stop correctly set, it only goes to three positions - position 1 (shown) connects power so the voltmeter is (  -v,  +v ),   position 2 connects nothing, and position 3 connects (+v, -v).   

 

 

The remaining group of four contacts are available for other purposes.   

 

 

- Nigel

 

Thanks again Nigelcliffe. I made the circuit up this morning, and it workred first time. Being in my eighties now I'm surprised my not so nimble fingers managed it! Trevor

On 04/06/2024 at 19:51, GWR57xx said:

If you want to keep it simple, this is what I used:
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VE792.html

 

The only drawback (didn’t bother me) is that it has to be mounted vertically so that the clapper returns under gravity.

In normal doorbell use it uses a 12V AC transformer, the AC sine wave producing the resulting drinnnnnggggg!

However, drive it with a 12V DC pulse (from your tapper) and you get a single ding per pulse.
Perfect, and sounds good to me.

 

Thank you, GWR57xx,  I've ordered 2 of these. I was going to use a piece of stiff wire araldited to the moving part of a relay, but adjusting this could be a problem. I hope your method is simpler and more effective. Thanks. Trevor

6 hours ago, ikcdab said:

I have been wondering how possible it is to make my own meter by winding small solenoids of opposite polarities, then using the wiring as suggested above.

Ill have a play and see what i can come up with. Has anyone tried that?

Cyril Freezer suggested that in his book on Model Railway Signalling, but that was far beyond my aspirations. Personally, I'll stick to what I'm trying. The needle will do for my purposes. The bell is the next part to work at, given what's on the market.

6 hours ago, Brian said:

I assume your meter is like the one shown below?. So as when power is applied one way it shows the voltage as a plus reading, reverse the voltage polarity and it swings the opposite way towards negative. No volts and the pointer sits central.   I would mount it upside down so as the needle is hanging down rather than as shown.    You will also need to carefully replace the scale to a more suitable design - Green = Line Clear, Red = Train on Line and Central White = Normal. 😃 

 

The meter shown below costs around £7 ish 

Thank you, yes I already have 2 of the £7 ones, like that shown at the top of your message, and have replaced the screen with the Red/white/Green. The front comes off by removing the 2 small screws bottom left and right. My problem was trying to reverse the needle,which Nigelcliffe has kindly solved for me. Trevor

Thank you, Nigel, that's very helpful. I will give it a try. I've been struggling with this for 2 weeks, and never considered powering the meter from the centre instead of the sides! Thanks again, Best Wishes, Trevor.

Hi All,

I am trying to build a pair of Block Telegraph boxes. For the display I am using in each box a Panel Volt Meter, Analogue 12v Bi Directional 15v range. They have only 2 contacts on the back, and use a change of polarity to move the needle  in either direction. I want to use a rotary switch to operate these, but am unable to come up with circuit to achieve it. Is it possible, please, and if so, can anyone provide a circuit?

 I know I can use a reversing switch using a DPDT switch, but I'd really like to mimic the prototype as much as possible. The rotary switch is 3 pole 4 throw. Thanking you in advance, Trevor.

2 hours ago, Northmoor MPD said:

Fresh from St Rollox locomotive works on a running in trip somewhere in the Scottish lowlands, away from its usual station pilot duties at Glasgow Central Station.

Like the bigger numbers - St Rollox was famous for them. Trevior

7 hours ago, Nova Scotian said:

My father surprised me with one of these as a present. Got to look it over properly when I received it, but first running was tonight.

 

Few thoughts:

1. Rapido have replicated a black hole - there's no way something this size can be that dense with such mass. Where did they stuff all the lead/tungsten?

2. Pick-up is excellent - crawled through insulfrog points

3. Gearing and motor excellent

 

Like many people, now wondering what I should run it with. I like to swap rolling stock around often, so chain couplings for Hornby stock will be annoying (in this case, I like the tension lock couplers!). I wouldn't be surprised if there's more in time from the various manufacturers.

Well done Rapido - excellent model.

See my pic above from August 26 2023 of the Highfield Thunderflash. I've since replaced the 4 wheel coach with a Rapido Wisbech and Upwell coach. Trevor

8 hours ago, Dr Gerbil-Fritters said:

I always liked the look of the Umbauwagen. They've been gone for some time, though. Trevor

17 hours ago, JSpencer said:

LBSCR ? I ask because I'm not aware of Hornby doing LCDR (London Chatham Dover Railway).

Sorry, yes you're correct. It's an LBSCR 0ne. 

41 minutes ago, JSpencer said:

 

Nice photo, was the LC&DR a repaint you did yourself?

Thanks. No, it's a Hornby generic 4w.

Thought I'd have a bit of fun with my 1980's Lion, and create a train for it for my Heritage layout, Highfield. The result is attached. A Hornby 4w 1st LC&DR, a Rapido Loriot Y with a Hornby Railroad 4w coach body, and  Western Region Toad. I call it the Highfield Thunderflash.

On 28/07/2023 at 16:14, 5Dublo2 said:

Mine arrived today  

If you have the sound version there's a nice Easter Egg on F8 (not gonna spoil it by saying what it is)

Also if you have the sound version and access to a LOK Programmer, then you can enable the guards / conductors whistle and flange squeal sounds (I think flange squeal may be a random sound anyway but the guards whistle is not)

I've done the same with my sound model, Whistle F10, Flange squeal F11. Won't use the squeal much, but the whistle is invaluable. Can't imagine why Rapido left it unused when the sound file was in there.

13 hours ago, keefer said:

The London, Tilbury & Southend emblems were similarly 'busy' (but at least with the letters in the right order):

LTSR by Roger Marks, on Flickr

Perhaps that's where the LMS got the idea?

Yes, thank you, I see what you mean!

Hi all. This logo appears on posts at the entrances to platforms at Llandudno Station. I have been an LMS enthusiast for most of my life, and cannot recall having seen it before. I understand that the LMS modified the station early on in the 1920's, so this may have been an early attempt at a logo. I have quite a few books on the LMS, including LMS Architecture, but cannot find  it in any of them. Any ideas, please? Thanks in anticipation.

Hi Andy, good to see you making progress again; I'll have to search ebay for a box of mojo to see if it works for me.  Like the progress so far, keep it up. All the Best, Trevor

Pleased to hear this Andy, and am looking forward to it. I hope this is an indication that you are on the mend. All the Best, Trevor

You look after yourself Andy, don't aggravate it by trying to do unnecessary things like standing at the layout. Only do what's necessary to get by, like coping with real life.  Hope you're feeling better soon. All the Best, Trevor.

Plus they'll need to upgrade their TTS sound, or buy in ESU or Zimo etc chips, to synchronize the sound/chuffs with the wheels.

2 hours ago, 9FEd said:

 

A Mercitalia Rail E483 picks its way along a single track section of the Ligurian coast with a rake of Eaos wagons

 

You really have captured that well. On a cruise once we went to Cinque Terre where the railway runs along the coast through a series of tunnels, and your scene is definitely reminiscent of that. Excellent. Trevor

3 hours ago, Andrew P said:

Your mate Martin and the rest of the North Wales Gang say I should continue on here, and so I may do, and put the negative comments in the wheelie bin.🤣 👍.

Glad you get a morning FIX, mate, I do when I see Kevin's, @KNP Little Muddle of a morning.

Great news Andy, and thanks also to the North Wales Gang. Anyone making negative comments about your fine work have no taste and should be barred. Constructive criticism should be permitted, nothing negative. All the Best, Trevor

12 hours ago, Andrew P said:

Cheers Martin, I have two potential buyers lined up, but just waiting to make final plans to view and hopefully at least one, to conclude a deal.

 

I'm almost ready to go with the new project, but sadly it won't be on Railway Modellers Social Media Platforms, except maybe for Facebook = The Model Railway Group.

 

Don't ask, but I have my reasons, so I'll disclose on our Whatsap Group mate.

I'm sorry to read this as I enjoy my dally fix. I don't do facebook, so I'm going to get withdrawal symptoms. Trevor

The South Lancashire Railway is having an LNWR/LYR Merger day, and LNWR Coal Tank 1054 is seen passing Highfield Loco signal box on a special train.